Graduation Day for Local 1-S ESL Students (10/10/07)

The graduating class of the Local 1-S ESL program, with Local 1-S officers. RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum was on hand for the ceremony (back row, second from the left).

Twenty-two RWDSU Local 1-S members employed at Macy's flagship store in midtown Manhattan graduated from a special English as a Second Language class hosted by the union on Friday. The class, a cooperative effort between the union, Macy's, and the non-profit Consortium for Worker Education, helped workers from the housekeeping department learn a better understanding of the English language. Employees attended the class at the Local 1-S union hall in New York City.

At a graduation ceremony held in a 16th floor conference room at the Macy's store the graduating employees received certificates of completion and a special Lucite plaque commemorating their achievement.

"This is a great day for everyone here," said Local 1-S Secretary-Treasurer Gail Rogers. "These workers are leaving here with skills that will help them do their jobs more efficiently, and help them better communicate with their co-workers, management, and their union reps."

The free program was such a success that there are plans for another round of classes after the holiday shopping season, and plans to expand it to include a high school equivalency program.